BandNation

Four years and four albums later, Rooney finally releases their second album, “Calling the World”! We got a chance to talk with lead singer Robert Schwartzman about the new album and the band’s future.

So your album is now out next week. Congratulations! Are you feeling excited? Nervous?

I’m feeling very excited. I don’t feel nervous in any way. I’m just excited that it’s actually coming out.

I know that it’s been somewhat of a journey to release this album.

Technically we have made four albums with all different songs. The first record came out in 2003. We canned two albums because they weren’t the right songs or the right production. They just didn’t fit. There was a lot of time and drama working on that stuff. Finally we got it together and it all clicked and that’s how we made “Calling the World”. So this is technically our second release even though we have made four full albums.

Do you feel like it has been a struggle to release this second album or was it just about timing for you?

Throughout the last four years we have put up “release dates” up on our site that was false. Each time we finished each album, we thought they were going to come out. The label even started doing promo for them. We were a little quick to put dates online so it caused a little confusion…

I can see why you are excited that it’s finally coming out.

Yes! It’s been such a crazy ride. I’m not just because it’s coming out, but I’m happier that it is this record that is coming out. I’m happy the other stuff didn’t come out because it wasn’t the right second album for us.

So is there a theme in the “Calling the World” album?

There is no theme. I write a lot of love songs so if you read the words, most of my songs are about dysfunctional relationships and love. So it’s pretty common.

How did you come up with the album title?

Well it is a song off the album. The song is about a stalker. It’s about someone who can’t let go of the other so they are “calling everyone” to find them. The people who have commented about our music---lyrically our songs are a little cool and twisted at times, but melodically it’s very uplifting. So “Calling the World” is very fun and summertime, but it’s about obsession. I like how you can twist the idea with the words.

So do you have a favorite on the album?

I really like “I should’ve been after you” and “When did your heart go missing”. I love them all for different reasons. I think they all have something special. The love song, “Help me find my way” was about my father who passed away a long time ago—way before I got involved music. I never really wrote about it, but with everything happening with this album, I thought it was appropriate to write about it. He was so intelligent and could have been really helpful right now. So “Help me fine my way” is about him not being here to help.

I spent the weekend watching your videos online. Did you edit that Europe video?

Yes I cut that video on tour and I’m really proud of it.

I know your Europe tour was recent. What was your most memorable moment from that trip?

Well I lost my voice after the first show. We had to cancel the second show in Cologne, Germany so it really sucked because we came a long way to play. So that was pretty memorable—sitting in my hotel room all night not talking to anybody. It was depressing and kind of defeats the whole purpose of why we were there.

Well at least you got your voice back.

Yes. I just had to rest and be good—and it worked.

I know you are on tour with Fergie. How did that happen?

She’s on our label and we played with the Black Eyed Peas before and she liked our album. She asked us if we wanted to play on her first tour so it was a great opportunity for us since it’s before the album comes out. This is just a great way to get the ball rolling again.

So what should fans expect when they come see the band live?

Honestly, I like when people come with a good attitude and want to have fun. Sometimes people go see bands and they just sit there and watch them. It’s not interactive. To me, it’s a moment we are all there together and should all enjoy it together. People should expect to see a very sing-a-long, clap-a-long, dance-a-long show. Very “user friendly”.

Where do you see the band Rooney in five years?

I really don’t know. It’s really hard to say. If you asked me this questions four years ago, I would have said we would have put out three albums out. I have no idea. Five years from now---we probably would have just put out our third album.

We get a lot of unsigned bands to our site. What advice would you give them?

Be careful and try to be as informed as can be before you make big decisions. Take your time and make sure you are happy with the music you are putting into the world since you have to live with your whole life.

What message do you want to give your fans that have been waiting patiently for this new album?

We appreciate them waiting and putting up with our “false dates” and getting their hopes up every now and then. We apologize. We couldn’t be happier with our album and we really think people are going to enjoy it. We are going to tour a whole bunch so we hope they can make it out to a show.